English Materials Development for an Undergraduate Communication Study Program: A Need Analysis in Indonesian Context

Abstract

Need analysis (NA) is one of the initial steps of developing learning materials. In English for Specific Purposes (ESP) context, it is an essential asset to identify learners’ needs and determine the areas they are lacking. Thus far, NA particularly in Communication Science Program (CSP) in Indonesia has not been widely explored. In University Y, the CSP students are lacking English language learning materials. Therefore, this mixed-method study aims to explore the results of NA for developing such materials. The data were gathered through document analysis, lecturer and alumna interviews, along with students’ surveys. The results revealed that students' learning needs focus on the desire to improve their English proficiency, particularly in speaking and grammar, for career orientation. Moreover, the materials should be compiled with text types that support the achievement of the goals e.g., advertisements, reports, narrative and argumentative texts that are more preferrable to be taught through a BL delivery method. These materials should also be actualized in activities that can accommodate three learning styles, namely visual, audio, and kinesthetic, with more emphasis on the first. The implication of these findings will be helpful to create a more effective English class based on the current demands.